Run this on my bandit and set it at 25% sag in trail mode with the correct psi for my weight found it a bit soft so just added 5psi at a time while out on the trail until it felt great once set it works flawlessly

Cheers - I know how to set it up as per the manual and general feel... but as you all know the shock can react different depending on what frame its on..

You can feel the difference in climb mode compared to soft or trail, but the sag did appear equal in climb and trail.. its more about what sort of sag should you expect in climb v trail v soft which is the question really..

I had quite a few issues setting my ctd bv shock up.... Was never happy with it out of the box. The CTD lever seemed to do nothing..and the platform part of compression damping was next to useless.

Fwiw this was on my spesh camber which has a pretty resilient suspension design to bob but not direct acting on shock like single pivot.

Anyway, unlike the older rp23, the stock shock is supplied in a med /med tune with the boost valve factory set at something like 175psi.

I explained my issues to the guys I bought my shock from (tf tuned) and as my shock had gone back once before (for a lever sticking issue) they offered to push tune for me for my riding style and leverage ratio of frame..... All I can say is the difference is like night and day.... (this was done foc so I am not biased in my opinions having not spent any money he he)

They took out the BV and replaced with a custom shim stack to stiffen up the initial part of compression.... The shock now feels amazing.... The platform is excellent on the climb mode and I virtually get no pedal bob stomping out of the saddle. On the trail mode, the three settings actually make a difference now and if I am going downhill, the descent mode softens everything up.

I found the key to getting the right pressure for me was to ignore sag.... Ride a hard trail and you want to aim to pretty much use all the travel with a few mm in reserve (assuming you have not hit anything too hard!)

I can honestly say I was very sceptical as to the benefits of custom tuning a shock as to whether I would really notice a difference..... But I guess with so many different frame sizes and suspension linkage design, the stock shock tune is never going to cover everything.

Oh and just a quick thanks to tf tuned again - brilliant service as always.

They sent my BV valve back to look at as I was interested in how it works.... Here are some pics:

Im currently not getting that "night and day" difference between climb, trail and descent. (I am unable to notice any difference with the 3 presets for trail mode.) Dont get me wrong, it is very plush, uses the travel well when pushed and you can feel the slight difference and see the travel usage between climb and descent. Not sure if my expectations are greater than should be expected.

However... im off out on the bike again in a bit to see how it rides following amending the pressures last night. (again)

Im thinking if i don't have much look it maybe time to go down the tuning option.

(I know there is plenty of factors etc, but what psi are you running ? )

rickt » Hello mikewsmith
Its fitted to a 5 Pro (18 inch) and came fitted on the bike from the factory.
Cheers
Rick

Not used one on a single pivot bike but that would probably give it the most challenge. Did you get it from a LBS? worth seeing if the other ones in there are similar, they may also be able to help you with some finer set up. If it's very different to the others then it might be faulty and due a return, if not then one of the tuners will be able to help you out a bit more.

Rick if the shock was fitted to bike I would expect orange would have selected a decent tune match.... They are pretty good at this.

Without being rude... Are you on the heavier side? If you find you need to run the shock at a high pressure to stop travel blow through..... There is the option of air can volume reduction spacers to stop this.

Here's my thoughts, based on a rider weight of 220lbs and frame with a leverage ratio of 2.5.

If I go with Fox's recommendations it's too soft and I bottom out on small stuff. Trail mode does make a difference, only noticeably so on the Max 3 setting though. Climb isn't much different to trail. I've had this with other shocks and have concluded that manufacturers don't have big old me in mind when they're setting their damping, I need a lot of spring psi and that is just too strong for the std damping setup. To compensate for the softness I've added more psi, maybe 10 to 20 more than recommended giving circa 20% sag. This works quite well, the shock still gives up is travel quite easily but propedal 3 keeps a hold of it OK when pedaling and the bv stops it from bottoming harshly.

I think there's room for improvement though, so am on the verge of ordering up the spring rate spacers. I'm hoping that reducing the volume of the can will ramp the spring rate up quicker through the stroke, this will stop it going through its travel so much and I hope I'll be able to reduce the psi back down to get back to 25% sag. That's the theory anyway!

Dave.... Your theory is sound good luck and let us know if the spacers make a difference! To be honest I don't think anyone will every be 100 percent happy with settings.... That's half the fun and what keeps us busy when we not riding.

I guess you're right, it rides really well as it is but I've just got a feeling that a little more could be eeked! It's plenty compliant enough, and it doesn't bottom on the biggest stuff I'm happy to ride, so you may well ask what the problem is!! Its a shame you cant buy just one spacer, or that they're more reasonably priced but hey ho. The shock already has the 'middle' spacer in so its only really the biggest spacer I'm interested in.

Just been out and done a quick 10 miles following the changes i made last night (40 psi increase ish) it feels a lot better in climb mode and i can still use 90% travel in descent mode so i think i'm getting very near now.

I guess its like comparing chalk and cheese when talking single pivot v multi, plus different boost valve rates (mines 225)

@doncorleoni, im 2.5 stone greater than you, before kit but decreasing! so therefore to get the optimal performance as designed I need to become the optimal user profile

I have read about the air can volume reductions and nearly purchased some last week but thought i would just stick with tweaking it first but i will think about that. - thanks for reminding me.

The bike was purchased direct from the Orange Factory, (it was an photo shoot bike) They are also very helpful so I may call in at some point.

@daveh, im in the same thought process of you too, I have not tried tweaking the trail mode today, but will do that later today when i go out for an evening loop.

spacer - (yeah its a shame you cant buy just the one! - need to find a lightweight who does not need his big spacer!)

If you've got no spacer in there at the moment, you may just need the 'middle' one. As I've already got that in its going to be the big daddy for me. I guess that's why they sell them in packs of 5, more than likely you need to experiment.

Right, the spacers have finally turned up and I only need the biggest 0.92 one. I'll hopefully get this fitted today and can report back as to how much less psi/extra sag I can run for similar bottom out resistance. The other 4 spacers will be up for sale shortly, by looking at what's already in your shock and how far off your sag presently is, you should be able to have a good guess at what you'll need, save you buying the full pack like I did.